Introduction
Australia’s healthcare system has always been recognised as one of the world’s best, but it’s facing mounting pressures—rising costs, growing wait times, and accessibility challenges, particularly for those living in regional and remote areas. Enter digital technology. Over the past few years, especially since 2020, digital innovation has quietly revolutionised how Australians access and receive healthcare. From telehealth consultations to AI-powered diagnostics, technology is bridging gaps, improving efficiency, and putting patients more in control of their own health than ever before.
The transformation is real and tangible. Whether you’re booking a GP appointment online, checking your test results through a secure digital portal, or receiving mental health support through a mobile app, these technologies have become part of our everyday healthcare experience. And according to recent research, better integration of digital technology could save Australia’s health system over $5 billion annually whilst maintaining or even improving health outcomes.
Let’s explore how technology is transforming healthcare in Australia and what this means for you and your community.
The Digital Health Revolution: What’s Changed
The Australian healthcare landscape has undergone significant modernisation. What started as essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic has now become the norm. Digital systems have fundamentally changed how we deliver and receive care.
The government’s commitment to digital health is substantial. Australia’s healthcare sector has received A$951.2 million over four years to enhance digital health infrastructure and modernise the system. This investment is laying the groundwork for a more connected, efficient, and accessible healthcare future.
One of the clearest signs of this transformation is the adoption of telehealth. Virtual healthcare consultations have exploded since 2020, jumping from just 40% of Australians using such services before the pandemic to more than 50% during it. Even more impressive? Three-quarters of Australians say they’re willing to continue using virtual healthcare services after the pandemic risk eases. For younger adults aged 25-44, acceptance is even higher, with 94% wanting to continue with digital health services.
This shift has been particularly beneficial for those in rural and remote Australia. Telehealth is breaking down geographical barriers, allowing patients to access specialists without travelling hundreds of kilometres. Medical professionals in these areas can now provide personalised treatment plans and preventative care through video consultations, reducing unnecessary hospitalisations and improving overall population health.
Your Health, Your Data, Your Control: My Health Record
At the heart of Australia’s digital health transformation is My Health Record—a secure digital repository where your health information is stored and accessible whenever you need it. This system represents a significant shift in how healthcare providers share information and how you, as a patient, can take control of your health journey.
My Health Record is now being used by 98% of Australians. Since its introduction, over 2.5 billion documents have been uploaded, and the Australian Digital Health Agency’s 2023-24 Annual Report highlighted that six billion clinical and administrative documents are now securely stored in the system—a 20% increase from the previous year. This growing data pool is transforming how healthcare providers access and share patient information across the country.
What can you store in My Health Record? Your record can contain your shared health summary, current medicines and prescriptions, referral letters, allergies, immunisations, test and scan reports, hospital discharge information, Medicare information, organ donation status, and personal health notes. This comprehensive digital file means that whether you’re seeing your GP in Melbourne or a specialist in Brisbane, your healthcare providers have access to your complete medical history.
The system is also evolving. Recent legislation—the Health Legislation Amendment (Modernising My Health Record – Sharing by Default) Act 2025—means that healthcare providers, starting with pathology and diagnostic imaging services, are now required to upload specific test results and reports to your My Health Record automatically. This improves access to key health information when and where you need it most, especially in emergencies.
Artificial Intelligence: A Second Set of Medical Eyes
Perhaps the most exciting frontier in healthcare technology is artificial intelligence. AI is not replacing doctors—it’s empowering them with tools that enhance diagnostic accuracy, identify patterns humans might miss, and support better clinical decision-making.
One outstanding Australian example is Harrison.ai, a Sydney-based company pioneering AI technology for medical diagnostics. The company received a $32 million investment from the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation to further develop its radiology and pathology diagnostic capabilities. Harrison.ai’s technology uses AI to review CT scans and X-rays to support the detection and diagnosis of medical conditions, including cancer. The platform can detect up to 124 findings on chest X-rays and up to 130 findings on non-contrast head CTs, significantly improving diagnostic speed and accuracy.
This technology is already making a global impact. Harrison.ai’s software is live in over 1,000 healthcare facilities around the world, including the UK’s National Health Service, and it’s supporting the care of more than 6 million patients per year globally. Closer to home, Australian hospitals and clinics are leveraging AI tools to spot patterns in medical data that might otherwise take humans considerably longer to identify.
The productivity potential is enormous. Research shows that up to 30% of the tasks currently undertaken by healthcare professionals could be automated using AI and digital technology—precious time that could instead be dedicated to patient care. Imagine GPs spending less time on administrative work and more time actually treating patients, or radiologists having AI assistance to review scans more efficiently.
Mental Health in Your Pocket: Digital Mental Health Support
Beyond traditional medical care, technology is transforming how Australians access mental health support. Digital mental health is a rapidly evolving field, with apps providing flexible, on-demand support anytime and anywhere. For many people, especially younger Australians, hesitant about seeking help due to stigma, mental health apps offer a more private and approachable entry point into support services.
Australia now has several evidence-based mental health apps available to users. These include tools for young people to track their mood, learn cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques, and manage anxiety. Apps are being used to support new mothers through emotional challenges, help young people break free from repetitive negative thought patterns, and provide peer and professional support for those managing depression and anxiety.
The beauty of digital mental health tools is their accessibility and flexibility. They complement traditional therapy by providing support between sessions, helping people build coping strategies at their own pace, and removing barriers to seeking help. For rural and remote Australians, digital mental health tools also provide access to specialist mental health support without the need to travel to major population centres.
How Digital Health Benefits You
The transformation of healthcare through technology translates into real benefits for Australians:
Improved access and efficiency: Telehealth reduces wait times and geographical barriers. Whether you’re in a remote township or a busy city, you can access healthcare services more conveniently. Digital bookings, online prescriptions, and electronic referrals streamline the process from the ground up.
Better health literacy: With access to health information through digital platforms and health-tracking apps, Australians are becoming more informed about their own health. You can track blood sugar, blood pressure, heart health, and medications in real time, enabling better conversations with your healthcare providers about your wellbeing.
Faster, more accurate diagnoses: AI-powered diagnostics and electronic health records reduce human error and enable quicker identification of health issues. When everything is digital and interconnected, nothing gets lost in transit between healthcare providers.
More coordinated care: When a GP, specialist, and pharmacist can share updates instantly through secure digital platforms, every decision is based on complete, current information. This leads to better treatment outcomes and fewer unnecessary tests or duplicate services.
Cost savings: Beyond the $5 billion potential annual savings to the healthcare system, digital health also reduces costs for individual patients through avoided travel expenses, reduced hospital admissions due to better preventative care, and more efficient use of healthcare resources.
Greater control over your health: My Health Record puts you in the driver’s seat. You can view your health information, upload documents, share information selectively with providers, and take a more active role in your healthcare journey.
The Road Ahead: What’s Coming Next
Australia’s National Digital Health Strategy (2023-2028) provides a roadmap for the next phase of digital health transformation. This strategy places people at the centre of a connected, digitally-enabled healthcare system, aiming to create a more person-centred approach to digital health.
The market is growing rapidly. Australia’s Digital Health market is projected to reach $4.6 billion in revenue in 2025, with an expected compound annual growth rate of 7.45% through 2029. This growth reflects increasing investment in digital health infrastructure, new technologies, and expanded services.
Barriers do exist, however. Healthcare organisations face challenges with interoperability between different systems, data privacy concerns, and resistance to change among some healthcare professionals. But these challenges are being actively addressed through government investment, regulatory evolution, and growing familiarity with digital tools across the healthcare workforce.
Practical Tips for Embracing Digital Healthcare
Ready to make the most of healthcare technology? Here are some practical steps you can take:
Set up your My Health Record: If you haven’t already, link your My Health Record to your MyGov account. This ensures your healthcare providers have access to your complete medical history and that you can access your health information anytime, anywhere.
Explore telehealth options: Ask your GP whether telehealth appointments are available for your next consultation. For many health concerns, a video consultation can be just as effective as an in-person visit and saves time and travel.
Use health tracking apps: If you’re managing a chronic condition or want to monitor your health, explore evidence-based apps that allow you to track relevant health metrics. Share these insights with your healthcare provider to support more informed discussions about your care.
Consider digital mental health support: If you’re hesitant about seeking traditional mental health services, explore evidence-based digital mental health apps. They can be an excellent first step and provide ongoing support alongside professional care.
Stay informed about your health data: Take time to understand what information is in your My Health Record and how it’s being used. Digital literacy is an important skill in modern healthcare.
Conclusion
Technology is transforming healthcare in Australia in profound and meaningful ways. From telehealth breaking down geographical barriers to AI diagnostics improving diagnostic accuracy, from secure digital health records to mental health apps providing flexible support—the digital health revolution is already here, and it’s making healthcare more accessible, efficient, and patient-centred than ever before.
The investment is real, the technology is proven, and the benefits are tangible. Whether you’re living in a major city or a remote town, whether you’re managing a chronic condition or looking to take a more active role in your preventative health, digital health technology offers tools to support your wellbeing.
The question is no longer whether technology will transform healthcare in Australia—it already has. The question now is: are you ready to embrace it? Start today by setting up your My Health Record, exploring your digital health options, and taking a more active role in your healthcare journey.
Have you tried any digital health services? Share your experience in the comments below—we’d love to hear how technology has improved your healthcare experience.
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